Funky Noah has energy, but shoot -- he can't score

Mike Nadel

Friday

Jun 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 29, 2007 at 9:31 PM

Nadel examines the Bulls' draft pick.

Brandan Wright, a Charlotte Bobcat for about 10 minutes on NBA Draft night, was asked by ESPN yakker Stuart Scott if he thought he was the only player selected who'd lose a game to his GM.
"I don't think Jordan wants any right now," said a smiling Wright, who was traded to Golden State before he had a chance to lose his signing bonus to Michael in a "friendly" game of 1-on-1.
A few minutes later, the Chicago Bulls made their first-round pick. Interestingly enough, they selected a guy -- Joakim Noah -- who definitely would lose to HIS general manager -- if the game's H-O-R-S-E, anyway.
As much as I respect John Paxson, I'm scratching my bald head over Thursday night's choice of the extremely hairy Noah.
The Bulls already have Ben Wallace and Tyrus Thomas, athletic, energetic, shot-blocking big men whose combined shooting range is about 3 inches.
So here comes Joakim Noah, an athletic, energetic, shot-blocking big man whose entire offensive repertoire consists of tip-ins and fast-break dunks. I mean, the kid releases his ugly jumper from beneath his chin! That might have been OK in college, where he was the emotional leader of Florida's back-to-back NCAA title teams ... but in the NBA, I envision that shot getting blocked often. By point guards.
Just as Paxson did a wonderful job swishing jumpers as Jordan's backcourt partner for the dynastic Bulls, he has excelled as a young NBA executive. After purging the crud Jerry Krause left behind, Paxson quickly built an exciting, talented team that could be on the cusp of greatness.
Even he admits the Bulls desperately need a low-post scorer. The Sacramento Kings, drafting next, picked Washington's Spencer Hawes. While Hawes is far from a finished product, he would have filled that need. And he will be much better in two years than he is now. Will Noah be able to say the same thing?
Had he gone pro last year, Noah likely would have been the first player chosen. Thursday, he wasn't even the first or second Florida Gator chosen. In one year's time, he went from star to role player. He very well might have peaked as a college sophomore.
Noah certainly fits the profile of a Paxson draft pick. Pax prefers older players who have won lots of college games.
"Joakim is a proven winner," Paxson told ESPN a few minutes after selecting Noah. "The guy plays hard every single night. We understand what the concerns are from an offensive stantpoint. We know we need a low-post scorer in some capacity. Those are things we'll address going forward. It's a piece-by-piece process. But right now, we feel we got one of the best 7-footers out there."
Although I would have taken Hawes -- or, even better, dealt the pick in a package to acquire a veteran post player -- please understand I'm not trashing Paxson here. I trust his judgment and believe him when he says Noah is just another big part of the Bulls' overall plan.
Who knows? Maybe Noah will be traded. Or maybe his presence will lead to Thomas being dealt. Or maybe the Bulls are trying to corner the market on big men with crazy hair.
Or maybe John Paxson knows more about building a basketball team than I do. (Nah, that can't be it!)
One thing for sure: The Bulls just got more interesting. Noah is a funky, intelligent, eccentric, eclectic dude with a flamboyant look, an outspoken personality and a great backstory.
His dad, Yannick, won the 1983 French Open and his mom, Cecilia, was Miss Sweden in 1978. Joakim likes to stand out in a crowd; Thursday, he sported a seersucker tuxedo and wore his hair in kind of a d'Artagnan look. Often talking at warp speed, he speaks his mind - be it about basketball, politics or current events.
During a six-minute telephone session with the Chicago media, the obviously excited Noah offered some fun insight.
About predictions that he'd get drafted earlier: "All that stuff is poison. I don't care about no mock drafts."
About playing for the Bulls: "I feel like I'm the luckiest dude in the draft. I get to play with Ben Wallace! That's awesome!"
About his outfit: "It's something funky. There's always gonna be haters. I feel I got a lot more love than hate. It was a good look. I'm very happy with it and I feel it was successful."
About what he does best on the court: "I hate to lose. Hating to lose is more important than skills."
In my experience, highly skilled players who also have heart and desire tend to be most important of all.
Does Paxson still have one of those on his radar? The answer to that question probably will decide how good the Bulls will be next season and beyond.
Mike Nadel (mikenadel@sbcglobal.net) is the Chicago sports columnist for GateHouse News Service. Read his blog, The Baldest Truth, at www.thebaldesttruth.com.

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